Peace mission to Israel

Just six days from today, I’ll embark on a peace mission on behalf of American Baptists to travel to Israel. This trip will serve as a good-will delegation to Israelis and Palestinians. In light of the recent conflict and violence, it is more important than ever to find a peaceful solution for this area of the Middle East.

This is no Holy Land Tour.

The delegation consists of the American Baptist Churches General Secretary, Roy Medley, the President of ABC-USA, Ruth Clark, and a handful of lay and clergy leaders within the denomination. We will meet with local leaders in business, media, health care, education, human rights, faith, culture, and politics. The delegation will be guided by a panel of experts who will also help balance and interpret these meetings so that, by the end of the trip, the delegation will grasp the basic issues of the conflict and a variety of perspectives and emotions. We will meet with both Israelis and Palestinians.

So, what is the purpose of this trip?

The purpose of the trip is to further our knowledge of the issues related to peace between Israel and the Palestinians. The visit is hosted by Telos an organization that works for a pro-Israeli, pro-Palestinian resolution that recognizes the right of Israel to exist and the right of the Palestinians to a state in their homeland. Telos strengthens the capacity of American faith communities – and especially American evangelicals – to help positively transform the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The trip was in jeopardy over the Thanksgiving holiday as missile attacks increased. We kept in close contact with Telos as they monitored the situation. I was able to breathed a sigh of relief when a ceasefire was enacted.

It’s my prayer that this trip will invoke positive outcomes. That Israelis and Palestinians know that American Baptists want to aid in peaceful solutions. That trust can be earned and relationships form. Look for blog posts about the trip here.

16 Responses

Reverend Rudnick, Thanks for sharing the link to Telos which seems like a well intentioned organization with the goal of peacemaking between Israel and Palestine. After reading their blog and their goals/mission and vision statements I don’t think that they currently go far enough towards recognizing the mistreatment of the occupied Palestinians.

They remind me of J-Street which tiptoes around the basic issues while trying to eke out very minor movements towards a peaceful and just resolution of the violence and injustices that confront Palestinians every day — while also deeply damaging the spiritual, social, and economic well being of Israelis.

You have my great admiration and appreciation for taking the time, energy and financial resources to make this trip. I have just one question: You say that your delegation will be visiting Israel where you will meet with both Israelis and Palestinians.

Will you also have a chance to actually visit the occupied Palestinian territories and to view conditions on the ground and speak freely with residents of Gaza and of towns in the West Bank that are impacted by settlements? I certainly hope that you will be able to do this if you are to draw accurate conclusions about what is needed to bring about a just and stable peace.

I understand why, as an evangelical pastor, you chose this particular route and I look forward to reading more about what you learn in your travels. I also respectfully request that you read the articles and the comments on our blog, Waging Peace, about the issues involved in the most recent conflict and the current ceasefire:

I was very disappointed in the US siding with Israel against Palestine in the UN vote to make them a “non-member state”. That was a very loud vote against peace.
It’s rather apparent, at least to the rest of the world, including Europe, that Israel is not interested in a lasting peace with the Palestinians.

Reverend Rudnick, The fact that you will visit towns in the West Bank is a very positive factor for providing a better understanding of the conditions under which Palestinians live. I wish you a safe, and enlightening trip and look forward to hearing more about what you learn and what your heart tells you.

Actually, what is primarily required for peace to come to Palestine and Israel is quite well known to all sane and sensible people around the world. And it is that : Israel stop confiscating Palestine’s land, and stop evicting Palestinians from their ancestral lands and stop demolishing their houses and destroying their olive orchards and stop stealing Palestinians’ water. As the British and French leaders have said repeatedly: the illegal settlements building must stop.
SO, why is this concept so hard to understand for you? The “Elders”, a group of Nobel Peace Laureates and peace advocates(including former President Jimmy Carter) recently visited Israel and the occupied Palestine said the same things that I have written.
Yesh Prabhu, Bushkill, Pennsylvania

Well, good luck then Rev. I like you, but I’m not taunting you. I’m just not towing the the “Gee, good luck you’re going to make a difference line.” You’re walking into a war zone and all you’re going to get out of this trip is a couple sermons and a few blogs entries and not a single thing will change, except maybe everyone has something new to put on their resumes.

I believe that there is a very disturbing trend underway in our country. It’s nothing new, but I think it’s accelerating. And that is a seemingly complete (or nearly complete) lack of sensitivity for people in other countries that are being ravaged by violent conflicts. Discussions, particularly political in nature, regarding our foreign policy often display a casual attitude towards the use of military might. The vast majority of us are insulated from the horror of it all. For most, it’s just something happening thousands of miles away that is mentioned now and then on the news. And a money-making highly advertised form of entertainment emerges – computer-animated games that simulate combat; the more graphic the better; blood and guts; rated “mature”; pretend you’re a soldier blowing someone’s head off; etc. How cool! I like mindless entertainment now and then just like the next person. Nothing like a good 007 movie! But at what point do we step back and question whether this increasingly casual approach to violence, as a form of entertainment no less, is a sign that we’ve lost, or are losing, our moral compass, our sense of compassion, etc.?

I think its great for folks like you to have the opportunity to go over there and see things from the perspective of those that are living within the conflict (on both sides). And to approach it without preconceived judgments, as I’m sure you will. Not having been there myself, and taking what the media provides with a big grain of salt, I’m in no position to express an opinion based on comprehensive knowledge. If anything, I hope you bring back an experience to share that helps us look at the tragic situation over there with more sensitivity and compassion, as opposed to the usual “good guys bad guys” politically motivated nonsense that seems to dominate the dialogue these days. So again, kudos for making the effort, and good luck.

Only when the Israelis agrees that Israel should cease to exist, or when the Palestinians agree that Israel has the right to exist, can the foundations of a lasting peace be put in place. As long as Israelis believe that Israel has a right to exist, and as long as Palestinians believe otherwise, peace between the Israelis and the Palestinians is impossible.

What sort of persuasion will the delegation apply? Will they attempt to convince the Israelis that Israel has no right to exist, or will the try to convince the Palestinians that Israel DOES have a right to exist?

Yesh I agree with your assessment of what it would take to create a just and lasting peace in Israel and Palestine.

Michael, your description of our current society’s approach to war and violence is sadly very true. I also appreciate your particular wishes for Reverend Rudnick to be able to see things from the perspectives of all people who are living within the conflict.

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